American League

Let's get this one out of the way. The Yankees will beat the Tigers in 4. They should probably sweep them, but maybe Verlander or Bonderman gets a win.

The most even match-up of the whole playoffs will be Twins/A's. Harden is the X factor for the A's, as if he can pitch like the 2005 model, they will win. If the Twins would have been smart enough to sign Frank Thomas before the season, this would be an easier choice, as well. Despite these things I've mentioned, I think the combo of Santana and the Metrodome home advantage gets Minnesota to the next round. Twins in 5.

The playoffs have worked out well for the Yanks, as Minnesota and Oakland would have been tougher to beat in the first round. In a 7 game series, the Santana factor is nullified some, especially if he's needed 2 times against the A's. Haren would be the guy I would least want to face in the playoffs, behind Johan. In the playoffs, the 200 million dollar payroll becomes even more important, as it's hard for the Yankees offense to be beaten, since it's unlikely 8 all-stars are all going to go in a slump at the same time. Outside of Santana, the Twins starting pitching is a big question mark. I expect the Yankees will score enough runs to keep the Twins marvelous bullpen from making much of a difference. Yankees in 6.

National League

So the best the Mets can offer up to start game 1 is a guy (Orlando Hernandez), who couldn't even make the White Sox starting rotation. I don't like one starter the Mets have, so I have a hard time going with them over a Dodgers staff which has been so good over the past couple of months. I am worried about LA trying to close out games, as their bullpen doesn't matchup really well against the Mets explosive offense, but I just can't go in short series with such a weak starting staff. Dodgers in 5

I had the Padres and Cardinals meeting in the NLCS in my pre-season picks, with the Cards sneaking by the Padres. Well, that was the beginning of the year. The Padres are the far superior team and their starting pitching is the deepest of any playoff team. Carpenter has to win 2 games for the Cards to have any chance. The Padres are a team well-designed for playoff success. Padres in 4

After how these teams battled it out the last 2 months of the year, it's fitting that the Dodgers/Padres would meet in the NLCS. I think the Padres match-up well against the Dodgers. If the Mets beat the Dodgers, I think the Padres would struggle, as the Mets base-stealing ability would make Piazza a major liability and probably keep him mainly in a pinch-hitting role. Versus the Dodgers, I think the Padres are a notch better in every category, with Trevor the closer being a big advantage. Padres in 5.

World Series

I chose the Yankees at the beginning of the year and I don't see any major reason to go away from them now. I do think the Padres would give them the best challenge of the NL teams, but their biggest obstacle will be against the Twins/A's victor. The Yankees lineup is unbelievable, their starting pitching is solid, and Rivera is the greatest reliever of all-time. I would love to see David Wells pitch in New York against the Yankees, as I could definitely see him raising his game for that kind of event. Overall, the Yankees are too experienced and too talented for the rest of the field. Yankees in 5.